The trouble with these three collections is the each have cracking songs on
them cheek by jowl with songs that just don't do anything for me.
As Azeem said, take Chinese Cafe and Love away from WTRF and there seems
little to revisit the collection for.
DED too has songs that I really love. Dog eat Dog and especially Impossible
Dreamer are divine for me. The production I accept as of-its-time and can't
get real worked up about.
CMIARS I think is the best, most cohesive of the bunch and predicted the
next slew of work. I also feel on this album she was re-asserting her
command and control of the production process. I love to bits Reoccurring
Dream with its fast harmonies and humour. The only dislikeable songs being
Dancin' Clown and Snakes and Ladders.
So, for me in order of preference. CMIARS then DED and then WTRF.
One of my favourite songs of Joni's came from the sessions for WTRF, Two
Grey Rooms and, much as I love the song, there is something about the sound
of the song that jars and I've never really known what it is. Perhaps you
Sound and Production boffins have an informed view. I'd certainly like to
hear it.
Les (London)
